But first, Haspel must be confirmed by the Senate. The process is expected to be complicated by her role in the CIA’s “black site” program, in which terrorism suspects were extrajudicially detained and tortured.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., pledged to oppose Haspel’s nomination, saying her background makes her “unsuitable” to lead the CIA. “If Ms. Haspel seeks to serve at the highest levels of U.S. intelligence, the government can no longer cover up disturbing facts from her past,” he said.

Launched following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the secret prison network was condemned by human-rights groups, which said the CIA’s “enhanced interrogation” methods violated international laws against the use of torture. One of President Barack Obama’s first official acts was to end the black site program….